Shivas one drop of tear became a blessing for mankind. Known as Rudraksha, even today, it solves problems connected to the body, mind and spirit.

Two words, Rudra and Aksha make up Rudraksha. Rudra is Lord Shivas name and Aksha is tear. About its origins, Devi Bhagwat Purana says that a demon, Tripurasur, troubled the deities and sages. So they prayed to Shiva for help. Shiva closed his eyes in meditation. When he opened his eyes, tears fell on earth. With each drop sprung up a Rudraksha tree and the fruit of this tree is the rudraksha bead. Then Shiva used his divine weapon known as Aghor to destroy Tripurasur.
In Shiva Mahapurana, Shivas consort, Parvati, asked about the origin of Rudraksha. Shiva replied that as he opened his eyes after thousand years of meditation, teardrops fell to the ground. And the Rudraksha tree was born.
Botanically, the plant is known as Elaeocarpus Granitrus. Scientists from Indian Institute of Technology and Dr Suhas Roy of Benaras Hindu University proved in 1993 that the beads possess inductive and electromagnetic properties. They effect the central nervous system by emitting bio electrochemical impulses. These induce the brain to release positive and mood uplifting chemicals. The bead resembles the shape of the human brain and can control stress, anxiety and regulate heartbeat.
Rudraksha trees are abundant in Indonesia, Nepal and South East Asia. In India, they are found in the Himalayan region, Sikkim, Dehradun, parts of Garhwal, Assam, Bihar, Bengal, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.
There are 38 kinds of Rudraksha and these beads are available in 21 faces. Known as mukhi in Hindi, each face has a specific purpose. Its religious significance is that it purifies the person of all sins. Astrologically, the different mukhis mitigate the effect of the various planets. Let us see the effects of 15 mukhis:
1· One and Twelve Mukhis correspond to the Sun. They control diseases of the right eye, headache, ear and bowel problems, bone weakness.
2· Two Mukhi responds to Moon. It controls diseases of the left eye, kidney, intestine.
3· Three Mukhi represents Mars. It controls blood pressure, weakness, disturbed menstrual cycle and kidney ailments.
4· Four Mukhi is connected to Mercury. It can cure dullness of mind, grasping and understanding problems, difficulty in communication.
5· Five Mukhi is ruled by Jupiter. It cures problems of knowledge, bone marrow, liver, feet, thigh, religion and wealth.
6· Six and Thirteen Mukhis are related to Venus and cure genital, throat, sexual problems. They are helpful in spiritual and material attainments.
7· Seven and Fourteen Mukhis are governed by Saturn. They solve problems like impotency, cold, despair, delay in achievements and long standing diseases.
8· Eight Mukhi is ruled by Rahu and sublimates the problems of lung, feet, skin, eyes and snakebites.
9· Nine Mukhi is ruled by Ketu and cures fever, pain of all kinds, skin disease.
10· Ten and Eleven Mukhis do not relate to any planet and give security, courage and confidence.
11· Like fourteen mukhi, Fifteen Mukhi improves intuitive, abstract and lateral thinking.
All you need to dopurify the bead by keeping it in sesame oil overnight. Wash it with curd, milk, ghee, honey and Gangajal. Wash it with water now. Rub sandalwood paste and saffron. Light incense and wear it to the chant of Om Namah Shivaye.